(Trinidad Guardian) Acting Prime Minister Prakash Ramadhar says plans are under way to do away with the mandatory life certificates people before they can obtain their pensions. He was speaking at yesterday’s official opening of the Registrar General’s Department at Devenish Street, Arima. The department would make the lives of Arimians easier as they would no longer have to journey to and from Port-of-Spain to obtain important documents, including those relating to births, death, marriage and divorce, Ramadhar said.
Describing the life certificates as “demeaning,” Ramadhar commented, “I find it deeply embarrassing that you have to prove you’re alive to obtain your pension. I find that a demeaning quality and has got to be removed.” The issue was raised by Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Patricia McIntosh during a joint select committee meeting in Parliament three weeks ago. McIntosh also complained that she too was one of those people who was forced to submit a life certificate.
Ramadhar said he was partnering with various ministries and the National Insurance Board (NIB) to make information on births and deaths readily available. This, he added, would assist in removing the life certificate process. Saying it was a simple procedure which could be easily linked via a database Ramadhar said this was expected to come on stream by the end of the year. He said his ministry was also working closely with the Central Statistical Office (CSO) to modernise how the census would be taken.
MP for Arima Rodger Samuel, who also spoke, described Arima as a “hub of development,” saying the borough was in dire need of an immigration office and the government was vigorously pursuing the idea, as it recognised Arima had expanded tremendously over the years. Another area carded for development, Samuel said, was the Arima District Hospital, which was soon to offer same-day surgery facilities.
On the issue of an immigration office, Ramadhar said the Government was also pushing the idea so one could be implemented as soon as possible. Also in attendance were Jairam Seemungal, MP for La Horquetta/Talparo, and Arima mayor George Hadeed, a former PNM senator.
